The Met Office has confirmed that parts of the Midlands, including both East and West, are forecast to experience temperatures as high as 38°C during an upcoming heatwave. The amber alert is in effect from Monday, June 22, through Thursday, June 25, with the possibility of extension. Daytime temperatures are widely expected to exceed 30°C, with the hottest areas peaking around 38°C.
Counties Under the Amber Warning
The warning covers most of southern England, central and eastern Wales, and much of the Midlands. Among the affected counties are Derbyshire, including Derby, Chesterfield, Buxton, Matlock, Bakewell, Glossop, Ashbourne, Belper, and Swadlincote; Leicestershire, spanning Loughborough, Market Harborough, Melton Mowbray, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Hinckley, and Market Bosworth; Nottinghamshire, including Nottingham, Beeston, and Newark; Herefordshire, including Ross on Wye, Ledbury, and Hereford; Shropshire, from Shrewsbury and Telford to Ludlow; Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, including Tamworth, Stafford, and Cannock; Telford and Wrekin; Warwickshire, including Rugby, Leamington, Stratford upon Avon, Nuneaton, and Coventry; the West Midlands Conurbation, including Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield, Solihull, and the Black Country (Halesowen, Dudley, Wolverhampton); and Worcestershire, from Kidderminster and Bromsgrove to Droitwich Spa and Worcester.
Peak Heat and Safety Advice
The peak of the heatwave is forecast for Wednesday and Thursday, when temperatures could climb to 38°C. By Friday, conditions will be less hot, with highs of 33°C forecast across eastern areas. The Met Office advises people in the alert area to drink plenty of fluids, keep out of the sun, and avoid exercising between 11am and 3pm. Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, said: “Sustained periods of warm weather can result in serious health outcomes, especially for older adults, and it is therefore important that everyone takes sensible precautions while enjoying the sun. Simple steps such as staying hydrated, avoiding the sun during the hottest part of the day, and keeping your home cool are some of the key ways to help keep yourself and others safe during periods of hot weather.”
